How old is too old? Hair styling

[Graphista]

I'm 45 next month and have long hair.

Mum says it's too old to have long hair, dd thinks it's ok.

Currently rotten weather where I am meaning if it's not tied up in some fashion it's getting really tangled. Is 44 too old for plait/s?

I also like the revival of cotton wide jersey hair bands which I wore a lot in the 90's.

Is it still true that if you wore a fashion the first time you can't wear it a second?

I'd also quite like to dye it a non-natural colour at some point, again dd says I'm too old for that.

Interested in opinions then will do what I bloody like

[Need9HoursSleep]

I like long hair, hate to think that once I reach a certain age I'm expected to chop it off!

[neveradullmoment99]

There is a lady in my work who wears a kind of side on plait. It looks really nice. I am not very good with my hair. I am 49 and its below the shoulder so fairly long. Its nothing to do with age and everything to do with what you suit.

[neveradullmoment99]

The lady with the plait is 50 plus. I am not very good at doing different things with my hair.

[MrsLettuce]

As long as it's in good condition, there's nothing wrong with long hair at any age. DM is, in fact, 'showing her age' with her daft, old fashioned nonsense.

Unnatural colour is also fine, if you've the balls to do it then you've the balls to carry it off, IYSWIM.

[Graphista]

Wow thanks everyone. I've a side plait in at the moment which dd informs me is somewhat embarrassing I say that's what mum's of teens are for!

When I was her age my mother had a grey tight perm and she was 5 years younger! She now wears it in a bob which seems to be the case of many women her age (late 60's) but in her case it suits her, doesn't suit everyone.

I'm bored with my hair but lacking ideas. It's normally up in a ponytail or a claw grip, I was looking round town the other day for ANYTHING different to go with it. All there was, were pony bands, claw grips and slide grips which won't hold it. I think a bun while cute on the youngsters would be aging.

Any ideas?

Colour I'd love is either red or teal blue (or both).

[Jmangel]

I'm 45 too and have bottom of boob length hair - it's very curly so for me it has to be long to drag it down. Whenever I have it cut shorter it sticks out horizontally!
Also, I have a strong jaw and quite a masculine structured face so need the long curls to soften me.
Not cutting it any time soon!!

[Bluntness100]

Mines down to my boobs, I'm 47, I'm not cutting it any time soon. I suit long hair, I don't suit short hair, I look kinda mumsy and it ages me. If you have nice hair there is no reason to cut it short at any age.

[Zoflorabore]

Sod what people think op, seriously, I'm 39 and have just had my really long hair chopped to shoulder length because it was driving me mad as very thick, the stylist was saying what a shame blah blah and I thought about it later on and was thinking that was she implying shorter hair isn't nice? I don't care anyway as I did it for me.

Dp said he loves my hair long but it's "my" hair and not his, he really likes my new cut anyway but that's by the by, I still wear hair accessories that are probably way too young but so what?!

Just another perspective from me, we don't have to conform to society's expectations, age is just a number

[NurseButtercup]

Hi,
Never too old for long hair - I'm jealous wish mine was long. I just put in extensions.

Lookup Kayley Melissa on YouTube she does easy to follow hair tutorials for long hair.

[OhDearToby]

Definitely not too old! In fact I think suddenly having a short haircut in your middle age is very ageing.

Definetly not time for a blue rinse and perm!

[Nellyphants]

I think it depends on the hair. Nice hair in good condition, why shouldn't you have it long? I do think it's good to mix it up a bit though, layers, no layers fringe. I prefer a change every now & then, that goes for younger as well as older

[OCSockOrphanage]

I've tried to grow my hair, but it grows out not down! When it was chest length pulled out, it barely touched my shoulders, and it looked as if I had stuck my finger into the power supply. Mine's always short but I change styles as often and as radically as my brilliant hairdresser can manage.

[Graphista]

Thanks to all posters, I will definitely be keeping it long as I really don't suit it short, I'll check out those tutorials too.

Seems to me there's a market for accessories for long hair for older ladies.

[OCSockOrphanage]

Graphista, you could be onto something. With your name, are you creative? Overseas, I have bought some lovely (and very very expensive) hair ornaments and clips that were worlds away from our High Street's shabby plastic bits.

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

Happened to mention to dh at the week end that I will be getting my long hair cut near my birthday - will be 46!! .
He looked bewildered as to why age has anything to do with not having long hair!!
So maybe it can stay a bit longer!!
It's boring long so maybe some layers for a change!!

[Hadenoughtoday01]

I had my shoulder length hair cut into a long-ish bob. It's still long enough for small plaits and to tie in a bun but the cut has given it some zing. A good trim or cut is more important than whether it's long or short.

[Floisme]

No rules - we don't all look the same; we don't all suit the same look and we don't all like the same look.

Mind you I don't think anyone moves on to a perm and blue rinse. I think it's more that we tend to stick with whatever style was fashionable when we were young, which could mean that in 30-40 years time, long straight hair will be the equivalent of a blue rinse.

As for wearing a trend the second time round - impossible to avoid once over 45.

[imjessie]

I'm 43 and a casual dresser sahm.. I often wear my hair in French plaits either side of my head ( if that makes sense ) it's my gym hair but it often skips into real life .. I've been told it suits me .. not that I care , my hair is very thick and I get hot but like having long hair !!

[nannybeach]

At 26 pregnant with my second, had my elbow length hair cut to chin length bob, H (now ex)made me feel too old for long hair, the hairdresser cried as she cut it off. At 66 I had shoulder length hair, wanted new style last year, gave hairdresser pic, she cut it to half inch long at the back, everyone hated it. I never had long hair when I was young it was always short. Dont think age is a barrier to having long hair.

[nina2b]

What is your hair like now?

[EnidButton]

I let the same niggle lead me to the hair salon where I asked for 3-4 inches off my just past bra strap long hair with a couple of "very long subtle layers". I came out with 6-8 inches off and stupid sticking up layers that don't suit my thick wavy hair at all and is higher maintenance than my old hair. It's going to take months or even years to get it back.

So step away from the scissors if you aren't certain. If it's in good condition, shiny, swingy hair then keep it.

[Fiona1984]

I have waist length blonde hair. I like to wear it in plaits, mostly a side plait (it's just easier). Sometimes I wear pigtail plaits, but I do wonder, when will I be too old for this? I'm a very young looking 33 currently.
I'm still growing my hair, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable.

[Graphista]

Nina you asking me or nanny?

[MikeUniformMike]

I'm older than you OP and I have long hair. French plaits are great and are still trendy. I also wear a bandanna folded into a headband to keep it out of my face at home.

[Graphista]

I need to teach myself how to do French plaits, my daughter likes them too. For her own hair but can't do it. I struggle doing a Normal plait!

I was reminded recently of the Gibson tuck which I haven't worn for ages.

indigoandcanary.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gibson-300x300.jpg

It's a little less severe than a bun. Though I am having trouble finding suitable clips to dress it.

I've popped this into my Amazon basket

<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B015SV6RYS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A1ZLJH74D1TRY6&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B015SV6RYS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A1ZLJH74D1TRY6&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Which would help with tuck, could wear a bun sometimes I guess if not going out